Apparatus for flexibly restraining service loops in an oil derrick to prevent entangling of the loops

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for flexibly restraining service loops in an oil derrick to prevent entangling of the loops, comprising a plurality of identical apparatus wherein each apparatus is positioned at different longitudinal level to restrain the service loops. Each apparatus is comprised of a plurality of interlocking units, wherein each unit is comprised of a central steel ring which is adhesively bonded to a braid of a service loop penetrating therethrough and exteriorly affixed to first and second interconnecting rings. A first flexible cable and second flexible cable connect the respective first and second interconnecting rings of the units of each apparatus. Therefore, the service loops are flexibly restrained to have a uniform path and bend radius when they travel longitudinally during operation of an oil well drilling machine, which results in reduction of damage of the service loops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to oil drilling equipment, and moreparticularly, to an apparatus to restrain service loops which transferelectrical, hydraulic and compressed-air power to the oil derrick topdrive.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Referring to FIG. 1, a top drive drilling system which has a notationnumber of 3 in FIG. 1, is a common piece of machinery in an oil welldrilling tower 1 in the oil drilling industry. The top drive 3 includesan AC or DC motor or a hydraulic motor which is connected to a speedreducing (torque increasing) gearbox, so that it can rotate the drillpipe to bore an oil well. The top drive is mounted in the drillingderrick and travels up and down under a control of a piece of travelingequipment 2.

Referring again to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an umbilical system 6which is commonly called service loops. The service loops 6 are part ofhoses 5 of the machinery in the oil well drilling tower, where each ofthe hoses transfers the respective electrical; hydraulic andcompressed-air power to the top drive. There are various combinations ofhoses, wires and cables that pass through the inside diameters of theservice loops. Most top drive utilize a combination of two to fourservice loops which have approximately equal length. Each service loopat one end is attached to the derrick (or mast), and at the opposite endis connected to the top drive. As the top drive travels up and down, theservice loops move accordingly up and down in the longitudinaldirection. In addition, they have a bending movement in the transversedirection, which forms the respective bend radii.

The service loops 6 of the hoses vary from about 2 inches to 7 inches indiameter. In addition, there are also variations of the hose structureand materials according to their usages in the drilling process. Forexample, a hydraulic pressure could be up to 3000 psi, and therefore, ahose to transfer the hydraulic fluid must be mechanically enhanced byhaving a sufficient thickness and an appropriate material structure. Ingeneral, the service loops have a composite structure to achievereinforced mechanical properties. The composite-structure is comprisedof an inner liner, a middle braid and an outer liner. The inner andouter liners are made of thermoplastic materials or rubber. The middlebraid is the composite of the thermoplastics and enhanced polymericthreads or metal wires. Therefore, the mechanically enhanced hoses havelarge longitudinal rigidities.

It will be appreciated that due to the variations of the hose diameters,material and structure which all affect the longitudinal flexibility ofthe hoses, each service loop does not always have the same bend radius.The hoses having a smaller diameter usually have a smaller bend radius,and the hoses having a larger diameter have a larger bend radius. Forexample, in general, hoses with two inches in diameter will have 30inches in bend radius, hoses having three inches in diameter will have abend radius of 42 inches, and hoses having four and half inches indiameter will have a bend radius of 48 inches. Therefore, the bottoms ofthe service loops travel in different paths when all the Loops havingthe same length travel in the longitudinal direction.

The variation in paths during operation of the machinery causes theloops to become entangled. When this happens, loops with the largerdiameter have the tendency to force loops with the smaller diameter intounnatural positions, which results in premature failure of the loopswith the smaller diameter. In this situation, an environmental conditionsuch as a strong wind also plays a factor to accelerate the failure ofthe loops. In addition, in some cases two or more loops with the smallerdiameter can displace a loop with the larger diameter, which can causeproblems including broken loops.

If the loop failure happens, it will not only cause a loss in economicvalue due to costs to replace the damaged loops and down time forreplacing the loops, but also create a hazardous situation such asleakage of the high pressured air or fluids to machine operators.Therefore, finding a solution to this problem becomes an industrypriority.

Over the years there have been several attempts to design metal clampsto wrap around the loops so that proper spacing and consistent travelpaths could be maintained. However, these attempts have failed due tothe continual forces on the rigid clamps and the harsh environment theclamps are subjected to.

Therefore, there is a significant need to provide an apparatus forflexibly restraining the service loops to significantly improve safetyconditions and increase productivity in operation of oil drilling wells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus for flexibly restraining serviceloops which are part of hoses in an oil derrick to prevent entangling ofthe loops, comprising a plurality of identical apparatus wherein eachapparatus is positioned at different longitudinal levels to restrain theservice loops, so that the service loops will have the same path andbend radius when they travel longitudinally during operation of an oilwell drilling machine to minimize damage of the service loops.

In a preferred embodiment regarding structural configuration of multipleidentical apparatus, each apparatus is comprised of three interlockingunits which are flexibly connected together through identical first andsecond flexible cables, wherein three units are positioned in a sametransverse level to affix the respective three service loops. Inaddition, each of the interlocking units has an identical structuralconfiguration, comprising a central steel ring which is adhesivelybonded to a middle section of braid of a service loop positioned topenetrate therethrough and is also exteriorly affixed to first andsecond interconnecting rings which are connected to the respective firstand second flexible cables. Therefore, the service loops are flexiblyrestrained to have a uniform path and bend radius when they travellongitudinally.

Each of three steel rings is a circular upward cylindrical wall which islongitudinally positioned to adhesively bond to the braid of a serviceloop and affixed to the first and second interconnecting rings. Theinterconnecting rings are positioned to align with a plane which istransverse to the longitudinal cylindrical wall of the steel ring,wherein their ring diameters are further aligned with a diameter of thesteel ring, so that the first and second interconnecting rings aresymmetrically positioned relative to the centrally positioned steelring.

In the preferred embodiment, the first flexibly restraining cable at itsfirst end penetrates through the first interconnecting ring of thesecond interlocking unit, and the first end is then crimped afterforming a loop to connect to the first interconnecting ring of the thirdunit, whereas its second end is also crimped after forming another loopto connect to the first interconnecting ring of the first unit. Thesecond flexibly restraining cable is similarly connected to the secondinterconnecting rings of the respective interlocking units. Therefore,the first and third service loops are flexibly restrained to therebyhave a limited transverse vibrational movement and the second serviceloop can have a limited sliding transverse movement between the firstand third service loops when they travel longitudinally, so that theirtransverse movement reduces stresses applied to the apparatus whichresults in a reduced strain on the apparatus to thereby lead to a longusable life of the apparatus of the present invention.

In another preferred embodiment regarding flexibly connecting threeinterlocking units, four identical cables are used, wherein a firstflexibly restraining cable is affixed to the first interconnecting ringsof the respective first and second interlocking units, a second flexiblyrestraining cable is affixed to the second interconnecting rings of therespective first and second interlocking units, a third flexiblyrestraining cable is affixed to the first interconnecting rings of therespective second and third interlocking units, and a fourth flexiblyrestraining cable is affixed to the second interconnecting rings of therespective second and third interlocking units. Therefore, three serviceloops will have restrained transverse vibrational movement to reducestresses applied to the apparatus which results in a reduced strain onthe apparatus to thereby lead to a long usable life of the apparatus ofthe present invention.

In an additional embodiment regarding structural variations of the steelring, a varied steel ring is manufactured by combining four pieces ofarcuate wall instead of using a single circular wall, comprising a firstouter piece which is threadedly connected to ends at one side ofrespective first and second inner pieces, and a second outer piece whichis threadedly connected to ends at an opposite side of the respectivefirst and second inner pieces, so that application of the varied steelring significantly reduces the manufacturing costs by enabling the useof commercially available mechanically strengthened hoses inmanufacturing of the service loops incorporating the present invention,wherein there is only cut a circular strip of an outer liner of acommercial hose to thereby adhesively bond the varied steel ring to amiddle section of braid of the hose, which is eventually a service loop.

In a further embodiment regarding achieving a controlled tear-dropshaped loop, the apparatus is comprised of an additional threelongitudinal supporting members such as rods or cables where their upperand lower ends are affixed. Each of the supporting members penetratesthrough the respective repeating first interconnecting rings of therespective repeating first, second and third interlocking units of theapparatus wherein a plurality of identical apparatus are positioned atdifferent longitudinal positions of the service loops, so that thestraight supporting members support service loops at one side to therebypush the other side of the service loops outward, which forms controlledtear-drop shaped loops of the service loops in operation of the oil welldrilling machine.

The present invention has a second preferred embodiment of the apparatusregarding varied structural configurations of the multiple identicalapparatus. Each apparatus is comprised of first and third interlockingunits which only have the respective single interconnecting rings toaffix the respective steel rings and a second interlocking unit whichhave first and second interconnecting rings, wherein a first loopedflexibly restraining cable connects the interconnecting ring of thefirst unit and the first interconnecting ring of the second interlockingunit, and a second looped flexibly restraining cable connects theinterconnecting ring of the third unit and the second interconnectingring of the second interlocking unit, which results in the ringdiameters of all the interconnection rings to align with a central linepenetrating through diameters of the respective service loops. In thissetting, the loops are flexibly restrained, so that they have limitedtransverse vibrational movement to reduce stresses applied to theapparatus, which results in a reduced strain on the apparatus to therebylead to long usable life of the apparatus of the present invention.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for flexibly restraining service loops which are part of hosesin an oil derrick to prevent entangling of the loops, comprising aplurality of identical apparatus wherein each apparatus is positioned atdifferent longitudinal levels to restrain the service loops, so that theservice loops will have the same path and bend radius when they travellongitudinally during operation of an oil well drilling machine tominimize damage of the service loops.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a preferredembodiment regarding structural configurations of multiple identicalapparatus. Each apparatus is comprised of three interlocking units whichare flexibly connected together through identical first and secondflexible cables, wherein the three units are positioned in a sametransverse level to affix the respective three service loops. Inaddition, each of the interlocking units has an identical structuralconfiguration, comprising a central steel ring which is adhesivelybonded to a middle section of braid of a service loop positioned topenetrate therethrough and is also exteriorly affixed to first andsecond interconnecting rings which are connected to the respective firstand second flexible cables. Therefore, the service loops are flexiblyrestrained to have a uniform path and bend radius when they travellongitudinally.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide each of threesteel rings being a circular upward cylindrical wall which islongitudinally positioned to adhesively bond the braid of a service loopand affixed to the first and second interconnecting rings. Theinterconnecting rings are positioned to align with a plane which istransverse to the longitudinal cylindrical wall of the steel ring,wherein their ring diameters are further aligned with a diameter of thesteel ring, so that the first and second interconnecting rings aresymmetrically positioned relative to the centrally positioned steelring.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide the firstand second flexibly restraining cables. The first cable at its first endpenetrates through the first interconnecting ring of the secondinterlocking unit, and the first end is then crimped after forming aloop to connect to the first interconnecting ring of the third unit,whereas its second end is also crimped after forming another loop toconnect to the first interconnecting ring of the first unit. The secondflexibly restraining cable is similarly connected to the secondinterconnecting rings of the respective interlocking units. Therefore,the first and third service loops are flexibly restrained to therebyhave a limited transverse vibrational movement and the second serviceloop can have a limited sliding transverse movement between the firstand third service loops when they travel longitudinally, so that theirtransverse movement reduces stresses applied to the apparatus whichresults in a reduced strain on the apparatus to thereby lead a longusable life of the apparatus of the present invention.

It is another further object of the present invention to provide anotherpreferred embodiment regarding flexibly connecting three interlockingunits, wherein four identical cables are used. The first flexiblyrestraining cable is affixed to the first interconnecting rings of therespective first and second interlocking units, the second flexiblyrestraining cable is affixed to the second interconnecting rings of therespective first and second interlocking units, the third flexiblyrestraining cable is affixed to the first interconnecting rings of therespective second and third interlocking units, and the fourth flexiblyrestraining cable is affixed to the second interconnecting rings of therespective second and third interlocking units. Therefore, three serviceloops will have restrained transverse vibrational movement to reducestresses applied to the apparatus which results in a reduced strain ofthe apparatus to thereby lead a long usable life of the apparatus of thepresent invention.

It is further object of the present invention to provide an additionalembodiment regarding structural variations of the steel ring, wherein avaried steel ring is manufactured by combining four pieces of arcuatewall instead of using a single circular wall. The ring is comprised of afirst outer piece which is threadedly connected to ends at one side ofrespective first and second inner pieces, and a second outer piece whichis threadedly connected to ends at opposite sides of the respectivefirst and second inner pieces. Therefore, application of the variedsteel ring significantly reduces the manufacturing costs by enabling theuse of commercially available mechanically strengthened hoses in themanufacture of the service loops incorporating the present invention,wherein there only needs to be cut a circular strip of an outer liner ofa commercial hose to thereby adhesively bond the varied steel ring to amiddle section of braid of the hose, which is eventually a service loop.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a further embodimentregarding achievement of a controlled tear-drop shaped loop. In theembodiment, the apparatus having the preferred multiple apparatus iscomprised of additional three longitudinal supporting members such asrods or cables where their upper and lower ends are affixed. Each of thesupporting members penetrates through the respective repeating firstinterconnecting rings of the respective repeating first, second andthird interlocking units of the apparatus wherein a plurality ofidentical apparatus which are positioned at different longitudinalpositions of the service loops, so that the straight supporting memberssupport service loops at one side to thereby push the other side of theservice loops outward, which forms controlled tear-drop shaped loops ofthe service loops in operation of the oil well drilling machine.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a secondpreferred embodiment of the apparatus incorporating varied structuralconfigurations of the multiple identical apparatus. In the embodiment,each apparatus is comprised of first and third interlocking units whichonly have the respective single interconnecting rings to affix therespective steel rings and a second interlocking unit which has firstand second interconnecting rings, wherein a first looped flexiblyrestraining cable connects the interconnecting ring of the first unitand the first interconnecting ring of the second interlocking unit, anda second looped flexibly restraining cable connects the interconnectingring of the third unit and the second interconnecting ring of the secondinterlocking unit, which results in the ring diameters of all theinterconnection rings being aligned with a central line penetratingthrough diameters of the respective service loops. In this setting, theloops are flexibly restrained so that they have limited transversevibrational movement to reduce stresses applied to the apparatus, whichresults in a reduced strain on the apparatus to thereby prolong the lifeof the apparatus of the present invention.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provideadditional variations of the structural configurations of the presentinvention apparatus, where the variations are as follows:

(1) the apparatus is comprised of at least two identical apparatus;

(2) each identical apparatus is comprised of at least two interlockingunits for restraining at least two service loops;

(3) each interlocking unit comprised of a central steel ring isconnected to the respective first and second interconnecting rings,wherein the interconnecting rings are positioned non-symmetricallyrelative to the central steel ring as long as the interlocking unit canfunction appropriately;

(4) a varied steel ring is comprised of at least two pieces of arcuatewall;

(5) each interconnecting ring is affixed including being welded to thecentral steel ring; and

(6) each interconnecting ring has any appropriate shape including a “D”shape.

Further novel features and other objects of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description and discussion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustrationonly and not limitation, there is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an oil well drilling tower toillustrate structural sections which are related to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational transverse cross sectional view of an apparatusfrom a preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus toflexibly restrain service loops of the top drive drilling system in theoil well drilling tower;

FIG. 3 is an elevational longitudinal cross sectional view of aninterlocking unit of the preferred embodiment of the present invention,which is adhesively attached to a part of the service loop;

FIG. 4 is an elevational transverse cross sectional view to illustratestructural variations of a steel ring which is a part of theinterlocking unit from the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an entire service loop which is equipped with aplurality of interlocking units of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational transverse cross sectional view, whichillustrates structural variations of the flexible connection within theapparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational transverse cross sectional view, whichillustrates another preferred embodiment of the apparatus from thepresent invention apparatus to flexibly restrain service loops of thetop drive drilling system in an oil drilling tower;

FIG. 8 is an elevational transverse cross sectional view, which showsthe apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention withthe addition of three longitudinal cables so that it can control serviceloops having tear-drop shaped loops, which is further illustrated inFIG. 9; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram, which uses a service loop as an exampleto illustrate a controlled shape of the tear-drop of the service loopthat is achieved after application of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention with an additional longitudinal cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings, it should be understood thatsuch embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative ofbut a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which canrepresent applications of the principles of the present invention.Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art towhich the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit,scope and contemplation of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an apparatus 10 for apreferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus to flexiblyrestrain service loops, such as a first, second and third service loops6, 7, and 8 to prevent entangling of the loops when they travellongitudinally during operation of an oil drilling machine.

The apparatus 10 is comprised of three interlocking units 12, 20 and 28,which are flexibly connected to first and second restraining cables 40and 50, wherein they are all positioned at a same transverse level ofthe longitudinal service loops. However, it will be appreciated that thepresent invention apparatus is a grouped system, comprised of aplurality of the identical apparatus 10, wherein each of them ispositioned at different longitudinal level to restrain the serviceloops.

The service loop 6 is comprised of an inner liner 6 a, a braid 6 b andan outer liner 6 c.

The first interlocking unit 12, which is additionally illustrated inFIG. 3 for affixing the first service loop 6, is comprised of a steelring 14, and first and second interconnecting rings 16 a and 16 b.Described more broadly, the item 14 is an interior retaining means whichcan be a one piece ring affixed to the braid 6 b or as will be describedlater, a ring formed of a multiplicity of of sections, some of which areaffixed to the braid 6 b. The ring 14 can be made of steel or any othermetal or any other desirable material such as synthetic polymer. Thesteel ring 14 is a circular upward cylindrical wall with appropriateheight and thickness. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the steel ring 14is longitudinally positioned to adhesively bond a braid 6 b, the middlesection of the first service loop 6. The first and secondinterconnecting rings 16 a and 16 b which are affixed to the steel ring14 are positioned to align with a plane which is transverse to thelongitudinal cylindrical wall 14 of the steel ring. The interconnectingrings 16 a and 16 b can be more broadly and respectively be described asa first interconnecting means and a second interconnecting means. Thefirst and second interconnecting means are affixed to and extendtransversely from the interior retaining means. In addition, the firstand second interconnecting rings 16 a and 16 b are further positionedwherein their ring diameters are aligned with a diameter of the steelring 14, so that the first and second interconnecting rings 16 a and 16b are symmetrically positioned relative to the centrally positionedsteel ring 14.

Although the symmetrically positioned first and second interconnectingrings are preferred, it will be appreciated that they also can bepositioned non-symmetrically as long as the interlocking unit 12 canfunction appropriately. This means that the first and secondinterconnecting rings 16 a and 16 b which are affixed to the steel ring14 are not positioned to align with the same plane which is transverseto the longitudinal cylindrical wall 14 of the steel ring, and the firstand second interconnecting rings 16 a and 16 b are positioned whereintheir diameters are hot aligned with the diameter of the steel ring 14.In addition, the interconnecting rings 16 a and 16 b are not limited tohave a round shape. In stead, other shapes including a “D” shape arealso within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment, the first and second interconnecting rings16 a and 16 b are welded to the jacket ring 14, wherein the weldstructure is illustrated as the arcuate connecting sections 15. However,they can also be affixed to the steel ring through mechanical connectionsuch as applying fasteners including nuts and bolts. It will beappreciated that after the welding process, the outer liner 6 c isattached to the braid 6 b of the hose having the inner liner 6 a duringmanufacturing of the service loop 6 incorporating the present invention.There is a gap in the outer liner 6 c to accommodate eachinterconnecting ring 16 a.

Referring further to FIG. 3, there are illustrated first and secondsections 18 a and 18 b of an outer jacket which are affixed to the outerliner of the first service loop 6, wherein the first section 18 a ispositioned below the steel ring 14, and the second section 18 b is abovethe steel ring 14. An object to apply the outer jacket is to enhanceaffixation of the first interlocking unit 12 to the loop 6 andstrengthen mechanical strength of the loop section where the firstinterlocking unit 12 is positioned. It will be appreciated that, as analternative variation of the loop structure, the outer jacket can bemanufactured as a part of the outer liner 6 c of the hose. In addition,the outer jacket can be built in various ways, including being built byusing self-adhesive applied to the braid or cord, enhanced thermoplasticor rubber tape to wrap the service loop 7.

Reference to FIG. 4 illustrates structural variations of the steel ring14 or interior retaining means of the present invention. Instead ofusing the single circular wall of the ring, a varied steel ring 140 isconstructed by combining with four pieces of arcuate wall, includingfirst and second outer pieces 142 and 148, and first and second innerpieces 154 and 157. As illustrated, at lest one flat-head screw 141penetrates through a first hole 144 at one end of the first outer piece142 to connect to a second threaded hole 156 at one end of the firstinner piece 154. Similarly, at lest one flat-head screw 141 penetratesthrough a second hole 146 at an opposite end of the first outer piece142 to connect to a first threaded hole 158 at one end of the secondinner piece 157. In a similar fashion, the second outer piece 148 isthreadedly connected to the respective first end of first inner piece154 and second end of the second inner piece 157 with application of therespective flat-head screws. Alternatively, two sets of screws 141 and141 a can be utilized as illustrated in FIG. 4. Alternatively, insteadof being affixed by screws 141 and 141 a, the components can be weldedtogether.

Following the above illustrated varied steel ring 140, it will beappreciated that a structure of a varied first interlocking unit can berealized, comprising the varied steel ring 140 which is affixedincluding being welded to the first and second interconnecting rings 16a and 16 b. In this embodiment, the first interconnecting ring 16 a isaffixed to an outer surface 154 a of the first inner piece 154 of thearcuate wall, and a second interlocking ring 16 b is affixed to an outersurface 157 a of the second inner piece 157. Similarly, for anadditional embodiment, the first and second interlocking rings 16 a and16 b can be affixed to the respective outer surface 142 a and 148 a ofthe respective first and second outer pieces 142 and 148 of the arcuatewall. The inner pieces 154 and 157 are also affixed to the braid 66.

It will be appreciated that the above illustrated varied steel ring 140comprising four individual pieces is just an example of variousstructural variations of the steel ring 14. In fact, at least two piecesof the arcuate wall can be used for manufacturing a varied steel ring,which can be further manufactured to corresponded with a variedinterlocking unit. Therefore, all these variations are within the spiritand scope of the present invention.

It will be further appreciated that an advantage to employing the variedsteel ring 140 or the varied interlocking unit is to significantlyreduce manufacturing costs since it enables the use of commerciallyavailable mechanically strengthened hoses in manufacturing of theservice loops incorporating the present invention. Application of thevaried steel ring 140 or the varied first interlocking unit onlyrequires cutting a circular strip of the outer liner of the commercialhose to thereby adhesively bond the varied steel ring or the variedfirst interlocking unit to the braid of the hose, as compared with theprocess of using the thermoplastic materials to wrap the braid of theentire hose for forming the outer liner of the service loop 6, which isillustrated in FIG. 3 with application of the single circular steel ring14.

While two sets of rings 16 a, 16 b, 24 a, 24 b and 32 a and 32 b areillustrated and have been disclosed, it is also within the spirit andscope of the present invention to have only one aligned series of ringssuch as 16 a, 24 a, and 32 a or 16 b, 24 b and 32 b on only one side ofthe three service loops.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated the structural configurationof the first service loop 6 of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The first service loop 6 of the hose is comprised of a firstflange 36 connected to one end of the hose, five interlocking units 12a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d and 12 e which are separately positioned along amiddle section of the hose, and a second flange 38 connected theopposite end of the hose.

It will be appreciated that a service loop could have any appropriatedimensional sizes including the cross-sectional diameter, the looplength and distance between the respective flanges and interlockingunits or between two adjacent interlocking units. For example, the firstservice loop 6 shown in FIG. 5 has a standard length of 86 feet.Referring to the figure, a length of 6 feet marked as “A” is from thefirst flange 36 to a first interconnecting ring 160 a of the firstinterlocking unit 12 a, a length of 9 feet marked as “B” is from thefirst interconnecting ring 160 a to a first interconnecting ring 162 aof the second interlocking unit 12 b, a length of 10 feet as indicatedas “C” is from the second unit 12 b to the third unit 12 c, a length of10 feet as indicated as “D” is between the third unit 12 c to the fourthunit 12 d, a length of 15 feet as indicated as “E” is between the fourthand fifth units 12 d and 12 e, and a length of 36 feet as indicated as“F” is between the fifth unit 12 e to the second flange 38. Inapplication of the service loop 6, the first flange 36 is connected tothe top drive, and the second flange 38 is connected to the derrick.Although the above illustration discloses five interlocking units whichare positioned onto the service loop, it will be appreciated that atleast two interlocking unit are also with the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Each of the three service loops 6, 7, and 8 areconfigured with a multiplicity of spaced apart sets of interconnectingrings as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, there is illustrated second and thirdinterlocking units 20 and 28 which are comprised of the similarstructural components as compared with the first unit 12. The secondunit 20 includes an interior retaining mean such as a steel ring 22which affixed to such as adhesively bonded to a braid section of thesecond service loop 7, and further symmetrically connected to first andsecond interconnecting means such as first and second interconnectingrings 24 a and 24 b. The third unit 28 includes an interior retainingmeans such as steel ring 30 which is affixed to such as adhesivelybonded to a braid section of the third service loop 8, and furthersymmetrically connected to first and second interconnecting mean such asfirst and second interconnecting rings 32 a and 32 b. In addition, thereare corresponding jackets which are positioned adjacent the respectiveinterlocking units 20 and 28.

As additionally illustrated in FIG. 2, the internal diameters 6 d and 8d of the interior opening of the first and third service loops 6 and 8are larger than the internal diameter 7 d of the opening of the secondservice loop 7, which illustrates their different service functions inthe oil drilling processes.

In addition to the interlocking units, a completed apparatus of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is comprised of first andsecond flexible restraining cables 40 and 50 having appropriate lengths.The first flexible restraining cable 40 at its first end 42 penetratesthrough the first interconnecting ring 24 a of the second interlockingunit 20, and the first end 42 is then fed through the interconnectionring 32 a of the third unit 28 and crimped with a crimping structure 43after forming a loop to connect to the first interconnecting ring 32 aof the third unit 28. Its second end 44 is fed through interconnectingring 16 a of the first unit 12 a and is crimped with a crimpingstructure 46 after forming another loop around the first interconnectingring 16 a of the first unit 12. Similarly, the second flexiblerestraining cable 50 at its first end 52 penetrates through the secondinterconnecting ring 24 b of the second unit 20 and the first end 42 isfed through interconnecting ring 32 b and is then crimped at the secondinterconnecting ring 32 b of the third unit 28 with a crimping structure53. Its second end 54 is fed through interconnecting ring 16 b and iscrimped at the second interconnecting ring 16 b of the first unit 12with the crimping structure 56.

Therefore, in this embodiment a gap between the second service loop 7and the first or third service loops 6 and 8 can be arranged to beapproximately 3 to 5 inches by providing the first and second flexiblyrestraining cables 40 and 50 with appropriate lengths.

It will be appreciated that with the application of the apparatus 10having the flexible restraining cables which are flexibly connected tothe interlocking units adhesively bonded to the respective serviceloops, the first and third service loops 6 and 8 will have a vibrationmovement with limited transverse moving distance due to flexibility ofthe restraining cables 40 and 50 which are also limited when the loopsmove up and down in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the middleloop 7 is allowed to have a sliding movement with a relatively largetransverse distance between the first and third service loops 6 and 8,Therefore, the transverse movement of the loops 6, 7 and 8 providesadvantages of reduced stresses applied to the apparatus which results inreduced strains on the apparatus, as compared with the rigid clampsystems of the prior art. The advantages of the present invention lead along usable life of the apparatus with excellent performance wherein allthree service loops have a uniform bend radius and path when they travellongitudinally.

It will be appreciated that although there is illustrated five repeatinginterlocking units for each service loop in FIG. 5, at least tworepeating interlocking units for each service loop are within the spiritand scope of the present invention of the apparatus for flexiblyrestraining the service loops which is comprised of at least two serviceloops for an oil well drilling machine.

The present invention has been described using three service loops. Itwill be appreciated that the present invention can be used with at leasttwo service loops and can also be used when there are more than threeservice loops. While the invention is preferably used with spaced apartsets flexible restraining means which include the interior retainingmeans and at least one interconnecting means but preferably twointerconnecting means, it will be appreciated that the use of one set offlexible restraining means using an interior retaining means and atleast one but preferably two interconnecting means used with at leasttwo service loops is within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a varied apparatus 100 ascompared with the preferred apparatus 10. Instead of using two flexiblerestraining cables, four cables are applied for the varied apparatus100. A first flexible restraining cable 180 is affixed to the firstinterconnecting rings 16 a and 24 a of the respective first and secondinterlocking units 12 and 20. A second flexibly restraining cable 182 isaffixed to the second interconnecting rings 16 b and 24 b of therespective first and second interlocking units 12 and 20. A thirdflexible restraining cable 184 is affixed to the first interconnectingrings 24 a and 32 a of the respective second and third interlockingunits 20 and 28. A fourth flexible restraining cable 186 is affixed tothe second interconnecting rings 24 b and 32 b of the respective secondand third interlocking units 20 and 28.

It will be appreciated that with the application of the varied apparatus100 also provides the advantages of the transverse vibrational movementof service loops, as compared with the apparatus 10 in FIG. 2, althoughmovement of the middle service loop 7 of the varied apparatus 100 ismore limited.

It will be further appreciated that by using either the apparatus 10 orthe varied apparatus 100, all of the service loops 6, 7 and 8 will havebottom loops with a uniform shape of a symmetric water drop when theservice loops move up and down. However, such symmetric water dropshaped loops sometimes are not convenient to the operation of the oilwell drilling machine. Therefore, there is a need to control the loopshape to form a shape similar to a teardrop shape.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is illustrated an additionalembodiment 300 of the present invention for achieving the controlledtear-drop shaped loops 68 of the service loops in the operation of theoil well drilling machine. The embodiment is comprised of the apparatushaving the preferred apparatus 10 with the addition of threelongitudinal supporting members 62, 64 and 66. As illustrated in FIG. 8which discloses the structural configuration of the embodiment 300 inthe transverse direction, there are three additional longitudinalsupporting members 62, 64 and 66, such as rods or cables where theirupper and lower ends are affixed to the oil well drilling tower 1. Eachof the members penetrates through the respective first interconnectingrings 16 a, 24 a and 32 a of the respective first, second and thirdinterlocking units 12, 20 and 28. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9which uses the first service loop 6 as an example to disclose thestructural configuration of the embodiment 300 in the longitudinaldirection, the longitudinally supporting member 62 penetrates throughfive interconnecting rings 160 a, 162 a, 164 a, 166 a and 168 a of therespective five first interlocking units 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d and 12 eof the preferred service loop 6, which is illustrated in FIG. 5.

Therefore, due to support provided by the longitudinal supporting member62, the right side of the first service loop 6 is regulated to have analmost straight linear shape to thereby push the left side of the loopleftward, which results in the service loop 6 having the controlledteardrop shape 68.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated another preferredapparatus 200 of the present invention apparatus. The system containingmultiple apparatus 200 can perform equally as the system containingmultiple embodiment 10 to flexibly restrain the service loops. It willbe appreciated that the apparatus 200 is varied according to theapparatus 10. Therefore, a disclosure of the apparatus 200 will notrepeat the structural details which are the same as compared with theapparatus 10, except for varied structural components.

As illustrated, the structural variations of the apparatus 200 include(1) the first and third interlocking units 212 and 228 only have therespective single interconnecting rings 216 and 232 to affix therespective steel rings 14 and 30, (2) two flexibly restraining loopedcables 240 and 250 are used, wherein the looped cable 240 connects theinterconnecting ring 216 of the first unit 212 and first interconnectingring 24 a of the second interlocking unit 20, and the looped cable 250connects the interconnecting ring 232 of the third unit 228 and secondinterconnecting ring 24 b of the second interlocking unit 20, and (3)all the interconnection rings are aligned with a central line whichpenetrates through diameters of the respective service loops 6, 7 and 8.It will be appreciated, with application of a plurality of the apparatus200, wherein each of them is positioned at different longitudinallevels, the service loops 6, 7, and 8 can be flexibly restrained tothereby have a uniform path and bend radius when they travellongitudinally.

It will be further appreciated that, in a similar fashion as describedin FIGS. 8 and 9, with the application of the addition of at least twolongitudinal supporting members which penetrate through the respectiveinterconnecting rings 216 and 232 of the first and third interlockingunits 212 and 228, or the respective interconnecting rings 216 andsecond interconnecting ring 24 b, or the respective firstinterconnecting ring 24 a and interconnecting ring 232, or therespective first and second interconnecting rings 24 a and 24 b , italso can achieve the same result of the controlled teardrop shaped loopsof the service loops in operation of the oil well drilling machine.

In application of the present invention, although dimensional sizes ofthe interconnecting rings and cables can vary according particularapplications, a preferred ring diameter of the interconnecting ringsranges from one-half inch to three inches, a diameter of the ring crosssection ranges from one-eighth inches to a half inch, and a preferredwidth of the restraining steel cables is ranging from one-eighth inch toone-half inch from regular operations of the oil well drilling machines.

Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to anyparticular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or anyspecific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified invarious particulars or relations without departing from the spirit orscope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of whichthe apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration anddisclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the variousforms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied oroperated.

1. An apparatus to be used with services loops in an oil derrick, eachservice loop having a given length with at least an inner linerextending the length of the service loop and having a given diameter andsurrounded by a braid extending the length of the service loop andhaving a given diameter, the apparatus comprising: a. a first interiorretaining means affixed to the braid of a first service loop andpositioned at a given longitudinal location along the length of thefirst service loop and a first interconnecting means affixed to thefirst interior retaining means and extending transversely from the firstinterior retaining means and a second interconnecting means affixed tothe first interior retaining means and extending transversely from thefirst interior retaining means; b. a second interior retaining meansaffixed to the braid of a second service loop and positioned at a givenlongitudinal location along the length of the second service loop and afirst interconnecting means affixed to the second interior retainingmeans and extending transversely from the second interior retainingmeans and a second interconnecting means affixed to the second interiorretaining means and extending transversely from the second interiorretaining means; c. each respective service loop having an exteriorlayer which surrounds the braid of that service loop and having a gap ateach location of an interconnecting means to enable each interconnectingmeans of each respective service loop to extend through the exteriorlayer of each respective service loop; d. the first interconnectingmeans of the first service loop aligned with the first interconnectingmeans of the second service loop and the second interconnecting means ofthe first service loop aligned with the second interconnecting means ofthe second service loop; and e. a first flexible affixation meansinterconnecting the first interconnecting means of the first and secondservice loops and a second flexible affixation means interconnecting thesecond interconnecting means of the first and second service loops sothat the two service loops are flexibly restrained to thereby preventthe two service loops from entangling as they move up and down the oilderrick.
 2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the firstinterior retaining means and the second interior retaining means eachfurther comprises a central ring formed by combining a multiplicity ofsections together which encircle the braid with at least some of thesections affixed to the braid.
 3. The apparatus in accordance with claim2 wherein the sections of the central ring are made from materialselected from the group consisting of metal and synthetic polymer. 4.The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the firstinterconnecting means and the second interconnecting means each furthercomprises a member respectively affixed to at least one section of thecentral ring, the member selected from the group consisting of a roundring with an opening therethrough, a D-shaped ring with an openingbetween a second of the central ring and an exterior circumference ofthe D-shaped ring, and a member having an arcuate wall with an openingbetween a section of the central ring and the arcuate wall.
 5. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the first interconnectingmeans and the second interconnecting means are made from materialselected from the group consisting of metal and synthetic polymer. 6.The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the first flexibleaffixation means and the second flexible affixation means are each acable respectively extending through a respective opening in the firstand second interconnecting means.
 7. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the outer layer is a jacket selected from the groupconsisting of an outer liner, self-adhesive applied to the braid,enhanced thermoplastic and rubber.
 8. An apparatus to be used withservices loops in an oil derrick in accordance with claim 1 furtherhaving a third service loop having a given length with at least an innerliner extending the length of the third service loop and having a givendiameter and surrounded by a braid extending the length of the thirdservice loop and having a given diameter, the service loops arranged sothat second service loop is between the first and third service loops,the apparatus further comprising: a. a third interior retaining meansaffixed to the braid of the third service loop and positioned at a givenlongitudinal location along the length of the third service loop and afirst interconnecting means affixed to the third interior retainingmeans and extending transversely from the third interior retaining meansand a second interconnecting means affixed to the third interiorretaining means and extending transversely from the third interiorretaining means; b. the third service loop having an exterior layerwhich surrounds the braid of the third service loop and having a gap ateach location of an interconnecting means to enable each interconnectingmeans of the third service loop to extend through the exterior layer ofthe third service loop; c. the first interconnecting means of the thirdservice loop aligned with the first interconnecting means of the secondservice loop and the second interconnecting means of the third serviceloop aligned with the second interconnecting means of the second serviceloop; d. a third flexible affixation means interconnecting the firstinterconnecting means of the second and third service loops and a fourthflexible affixation means interconnecting the second interconnectingmeans of the second and third service loops so that the three serviceloops are flexibly restrained to thereby prevent the three service loopsfrom entangling as they move up and down the oil derrick.
 9. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the first, second and thirdinterior retaining means each further comprises a central ring formed bycombining a multiplicity of sections together which encircle the braidwith at least some of the sections affixed to the braid.
 10. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the sections of the centralring are made from material selected from the group consisting of metaland synthetic polymer.
 11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9wherein the first interconnecting means and the second interconnectingmeans each further comprises a member respectively affixed to at leastone section of the central ring, the member selected from the groupconsisting of a round ring with an opening therethrough, a D-shaped ringwith an opening between a second of the central ring and an exteriorcircumference of the D-shaped ring, and a member having an arcuate wallwith an opening between a section of the central ring and the arcuatewall.
 12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the firstinterconnecting means and the second interconnecting means are made frommaterial selected from the group consisting of metal and syntheticpolymer.
 13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the firstflexible affixation means, the second flexible affixation means, thethird flexible affixation means, and the fourth flexible affixationmeans are each a cable, the first flexible affixation means extendingthrough a respective opening in the first interconnecting means of thefirst and second service loop, the second flexible affixation meansextending through an opening in the second interconnecting means of thefirst and second service loops, the third flexible affixation meansextending through an opening in the first interconnecting means of thesecond and third service loops and the fourth flexible affixation meansextending through an opening in the second interconnecting means of thesecond and third service loops.
 14. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 8 wherein the outer layer is a jacket selected from the groupconsisting of an outer liner, self-adhesive applied to the braid,enhanced thermoplastic and rubber.
 15. An apparatus to be used withservice loops in an oil derrick, each service loop having a given lengthwith at least an inner liner extending the length of the service loopand having a given diameter and surrounded by a braid extending thelength of the service loop and having a given diameter, the apparatushaving a multiplicity of spaced apart sets of flexible restrainingmeans, each set of flexible restraining means comprising: a. a firstinterior retaining means affixed to the braid of the first service loopand positioned at a given longitudinal location along the length of thefirst service loop and a first interconnecting means affixed to thefirst interior retaining means and extending transversely from the firstinterior retaining means and a second interconnecting means affixed tothe first interior retaining means and extending transversely from thefirst interior retaining means; b. a second interior retaining meansaffixed to the braid of a second service loop and positioned at a givenlongitudinal location along the length of the second service loop and afirst interconnecting means affixed to the second interior retainingmeans and extending transversely from the second interior retainingmeans and a second interconnecting means affixed to the second interiorretaining means and extending transversely from the second interiorretaining means; c. each set of interior retaining means and first andsecond interconnecting means on the first and second service loopsspaced apart from an adjacent set of interior retaining means and firstand second interconnecting means by a given distance so that the setsare positioned along the length of each service loop and are alignedalong the length of each service loop; d. each respective service loophaving an exterior layer which surrounds the braid of that service loopand having a gap at each location of an interconnecting means to enableeach interconnecting means of each respective service loop to extendthrough the exterior layer of each respective service loop; e. for eachgiven set of flexible restraining means, the first interconnecting meansof the first service loop aligned with the first interconnecting meansof the second service loop and the second interconnecting means of thefirst service loop aligned with the second interconnecting means of thesecond service loop; and f. for each set of flexible restraining means,a first flexible affixation means interconnecting the firstinterconnecting means of the first and second service loops and a secondflexible affixation means interconnecting the second interconnectingmeans of the first and second service loops so the multiplicity of setsof flexible retraining means cause the two service loops to be flexiblyrestrained at a multiplicity of locations along the length of the twoservice loops to thereby prevent the two service loops from entanglingas they move up and down the oil derrick.
 16. An apparatus to be usedwith services loops in an oil derrick in accordance with claim 15,further having a third service loop having a given length with at leastan inner liner extending the length of the third service loop and havinga given diameter and surrounded by a braid extending the length of thethird service loop having a given diameter, the service loops arrangedso that the second service loop is between the first and third serviceloops, the third service loop having a multiplicity of spaced apart setsof flexible restraining means, each set of flexible restraining meanscomprising: a. a third interior retaining means affixed to the braid ofthe third service loop and positioned at a given longitudinal locationalong the length of the third service loop and a first interconnectingmeans affixed to the third interior retaining means and extendingtransversely from the third interior retaining means and a secondinterconnecting means affixed to the third interior retaining means andextending transversely from the first interior retaining means; b. eachset of interior retaining means and first, second and thirdinterconnecting means on the first, second and third service loopsspaced apart from an adjacent set of interior retaining means and firstand second interconnecting means by a given distance so that the setsare positioned along the length of each service loop and are alignedalong the length of each service loop; c. each respective service loophaving an exterior layer which surrounds the braid of that service loopand having a gap at each location of an interconnecting means to enableeach interconnecting means of each respective service loop to extendthrough the exterior layer of each respective service loop; d. for eachgiven set of flexible restraining means, the first interconnecting meansof the first service loop aligned with the first interconnecting meansof the second service loop and the first interconnecting means of thesecond service loop aligned with the first interconnecting means of thethird service loop, and the second interconnecting means of the firstservice loop aligned with the second interconnecting means of the secondservice loop and the second interconnecting means of the second serviceloop aligned with the second interconnecting means of the third serviceloop; and e. for each set of flexible restraining means, a firstflexible affixation means interconnecting the first interconnectingmeans of the first and second service loops and a second flexibleaffixation means interconnecting the second interconnecting means of thefirst and second service loops, a third flexible affixation meansinterconnecting the first interconnecting means of the second and thirdservice loops, and a fourth flexible affixation means interconnectingthe second interconnecting means of the second and third service loops,so the multiplicity of sets of flexible retraining means cause the threeservice loops to be flexibly restrained at a multiplicity of locationsalong the length of the three service loops to thereby prevent the threeservice loops from entangling as they move up and down the oil derrick.17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein for each set thefirst, second and third interior retaining means each further comprisesa central ring formed by combining a multiplicity of sections togetherwhich encircle the braid with at least some of the sections affixed tothe braid.
 18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein foreach set the sections of the central ring are made from materialselected from the group consisting of metal and synthetic polymer. 19.The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein for each set the firstinterconnecting means and the second interconnecting means each furthercomprises a member respectively affixed to at least one section of thecentral ring, the member selected from the group consisting of a roundring with an opening therethrough, a D-shaped ring with an openingbetween a second of the central ring and an exterior circumference ofthe D-shaped ring, and a member having an arcuate wall with an openingbetween a section of the central ring and the arcuate wall.
 20. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein for each set the firstinterconnecting means and the second interconnecting means are made frommaterial selected from the group consisting of metal and syntheticpolymer.
 21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein for eachfirst set first of flexible affixation means and the second flexible setof affixation means of the first and second service loops are each afirst cable respectively extending through a respective opening in thefirst interconnecting means of the first and second service loops and asecond cable extending through a respective opening in the secondinterconnecting means of the second and third service loops, and a thirdcable respectively extending through a respective opening in the firstinterconnecting means of the second and third service loops and a fourthcable respectively extending through a respective opening in the secondinterconnecting means of the second and third service loops.
 22. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein the outer layer is ajacket selected from the group consisting of an outer liner,self-adhesive applied to the braid, enhanced thermoplastic and rubber.23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 16, further comprising: a. afirst longitudinal supporting member affixed to the oil derrick andextending through an aligned opening in a respective firstinterconnecting member of each set of flexible restraining means of thefirst service loop; b. a second longitudinal supporting member affixedto the oil derrick and extending through an aligned opening in arespective first interconnecting member of each set of flexiblerestraining means of the second service loop; and c. a thirdlongitudinal supporting member affixed to the oil derrick and extendingthrough an aligned opening in a respective first interconnecting memberof each set of flexible restraining means of the third service loop. 24.The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein for each set the firstinterior retaining means and the second interior retaining means eachfurther comprises a central ring formed by combining a multiplicity ofsections together which encircle the braid with at least some of thesections affixed to the braid.
 25. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 24 wherein for each set the sections of the central ring are madefrom material selected from the group consisting of metal and syntheticpolymer.
 26. The apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein for eachset the first interconnecting means and the second interconnecting meanseach further comprises a member respectively affixed to at least onesection of the central ring, the member selected from the groupconsisting of a round ring with an opening therethrough, a D-shaped ringwith an opening between a second of the central ring and an exteriorcircumference of the D-shaped ring, and a member having an arcuate wallwith an opening between a section of the central ring and the arcuatewall.
 27. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26 wherein for each setthe first interconnecting means and the second interconnecting means aremade from material selected from the group consisting of metal andsynthetic polymer.
 28. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26 whereinfor each set the first-flexible affixation means and the second flexibleaffixation means are each a cable respectively extending through arespective opening in the first and second interconnecting means. 29.The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein the outer layer is ajacket selected from the group consisting of an outer liner,self-adhesive applied to the braid, enhanced thermoplastic and rubber.30. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15, further comprising: a. afirst longitudinal supporting member affixed to the oil derrick andextending through an aligned opening in a respective firstinterconnecting member of each set of flexible restraining means of thefirst service loop; and b. a second longitudinal supporting memberaffixed to the oil derrick and extending through an aligned opening in arespective first interconnecting member of each set of flexiblerestraining means of the second service loop.
 31. An apparatus to beused with services loops in an oil derrick, each service loop having agiven length with at least an inner liner extending the length of theservice loop and having a given diameter and surrounded by a braidextending the length of the service loop and having a given diameter,the apparatus comprising: a. a first interior retaining means affixed tothe braid of a first service loop and positioned at a given longitudinallocation along the length of the first service loop and a firstinterconnecting means affixed to the first interior retaining means andextending transversely from the first interior retaining means; b. asecond interior retaining means affixed to the braid of a second serviceloop and positioned at a given longitudinal location along the length ofthe second service loop and a first interconnecting means affixed to thesecond interior retaining means and extending transversely from thesecond interior retaining means; c. a third interior retaining meansaffixed to the braid of a third service loop and positioned at a givenlongitudinal location along the length of the third service loop and afirst interconnecting means affixed to the third interior retainingmeans and extending transversely from the third interior retainingmeans; c. each respective service loop having an exterior layer whichsurrounds the braid of that service loop and having a gap at eachlocation of an interconnecting means to enable each interconnectingmeans of each respective service loop to extend through the exteriorlayer of each respective service loop; d. the first interconnectingmeans of the first service loop aligned with the first interconnectingmeans of the second service loop and the first interconnecting means ofthe second service loop aligned with the first interconnecting means ofthe third service loop; and e. a first flexible affixation meansinterconnecting the first interconnecting means of the first and secondservice loops and a second flexible affixation means interconnecting thefirst interconnecting means of the second and third service loops sothat the three service loops are flexibly restrained to thereby preventthe three service loops from entangling as they move up and down the oilderrick.
 32. The apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein the firstinterior retaining means, the second interior retaining means, and thethird interior retaining means each further comprises a central ringformed by combining a multiplicity of sections together which encirclethe braid with at least some of the sections affixed to the braid. 33.The apparatus in accordance with claim 32 wherein the sections of thecentral ring are made from material selected from the group consistingof metal and synthetic polymer.
 34. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 32 wherein the each first interconnecting means further comprisesa member respectively affixed to at least one section of the centralring, the member selected from the group consisting of a round ring withan opening therethrough, a D-shaped ring with an opening between asecond of the central ring and an exterior circumference of the D-shapedring, and a member having an arcuate wall with an opening between asection of the central ring and the arcuate wall.
 35. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 34 wherein each first interconnecting means aremade from material selected from the group consisting of metal andsynthetic polymer.
 36. The apparatus in accordance with claim 34 whereinthe first flexible affixation means is a cable respectively extendingthrough a respective opening in the first interconnecting means of thefirst and second service loops, the second flexible affixation means isa cable respectively extending through an opening in the firstinterconnecting means of the second and third service loops.
 37. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein the outer layer is ajacket selected from the group consisting of an outer liner,self-adhesive applied to the braid, enhanced thermoplastic and rubber.38. An apparatus to be used with services loops in an oil derrick, eachservice loop having a given length with at least an inner linerextending the length of the service loop and having a given diameter andsurrounded by a braid extending the length of the service loop andhaving a given diameter, the apparatus having a multiplicity of spacedapart sets of flexible restraining means, each set of flexiblerestraining means comprising: a. a first interior retaining meansaffixed to the braid of a first service loop and positioned at a givenlongitudinal location along the length of the first service loop and afirst interconnecting means affixed to the first interior retainingmeans and extending transversely from the first interior retainingmeans; b. a second interior retaining means affixed to the braid of asecond service loop and positioned at a given longitudinal locationalong the length of the second service loop and a first interconnectingmeans affixed to the second interior retaining means and extendingtransversely from the second interior retaining means; c. a thirdinterior retaining means affixed to the braid of a third service loopand positioned at a given longitudinal location along the length of thethird service loop and a first interconnecting means affixed to thethird interior retaining means and extending transversely from the thirdinterior retaining means; d. each set of interior retaining means andinterconnecting means on the first, second and third service loopsspaced apart from an adjacent set of interior retaining means andinterconnecting means by a given distance so that the sets arepositioned along the length of each service loop and aligned along thelength of each service loop; e. each respective service loop having anexterior layer which surrounds the braid of that service loop and havinga gap at each location of an interconnecting means to enable eachinterconnecting means of each respective service loop to extend throughthe exterior layer of each respective service loop; f. for each set offlexible restraining means, the first interconnecting means of the firstservice loop aligned with the first interconnecting means of the secondservice loop and the first interconnecting means of the second serviceloop aligned with the first interconnecting means of the third serviceloop; and g. for each set of flexible restraining means, a firstflexible affixation means interconnecting the first interconnectingmeans of the first and second service loops and a second flexibleaffixation means interconnecting the first interconnecting means of thesecond and third service loops so that the multiplicity of sets offlexible restraining means cause the three service loops to be flexiblyrestrained at a multiplicity of locations along the length of the threeservice loops to thereby prevent the three service loops from entanglingas they move up and down the oil derrick.
 39. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 38 wherein each first interconnecting meansfurther comprises a member affixed to the central one piece ring, themember selected from the group consisting of a round ring with anopening therethrough, a D-shaped ring with an opening between thecentral ring and an exterior circumference of the D-shaped ring, and amember having an arcuate wall with an opening between the central ringand the arcuate wall.
 40. The apparatus in accordance with claim 39wherein the first interconnecting means and the second interconnectingmeans are made from material selected from the group consisting of metaland synthetic polymer.
 41. The apparatus in accordance with claim 39wherein the first flexible affixation means is a cable respectivelyextending through a respective opening in the first interconnectingmeans of the first and second service loops, the second flexibleaffixation means is a cable extending through an opening in the firstinterconnecting means of the second and third service loops.
 42. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 38 wherein the first, second andthird interior retaining means each further comprises a central ringformed by combining a multiplicity of sections together which encirclethe braid with at least some of the sections affixed to the braid. 43.The apparatus in accordance with claim 42 wherein the sections of thecentral ring are made from material selected from the group consistingof metal and synthetic polymer.
 44. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 38 wherein each first interconnecting means and the secondinterconnecting means are made from material selected from the groupconsisting of metal and synthetic polymer.
 45. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 38 wherein the outer layer is a jacket selectedfrom the group consisting of an outer liner, self-adhesive applied tothe braid, enhanced thermoplastic and rubber.
 46. An apparatus to beused with services loops in an oil derrick, each service loop having agiven length with at least an inner liner extending the length of theservice loop and having a given diameter and surrounded by a braidextending the length of the service loop and having a given diameter,the apparatus comprising: a. a first interior retaining means affixed tothe braid of a first service loop and positioned at a given longitudinallocation along the length of the first service loop and at least oneinterconnecting means affixed to the first interior retaining means andextending transversely from the first interior retaining means; b. asecond interior retaining means affixed to the braid of a second serviceloop and positioned at a given longitudinal location along the length ofthe second service loop and at least one interconnecting means affixedto the second interior retaining means and extending transversely fromthe second interior retaining means; c. a third interior retaining meansaffixed to the braid of a third service loop and positioned at a givenlongitudinal location along the length of the third service loop and atleast one interconnecting means affixed to the third interior retainingmeans and extending transversely from the third interior retainingmeans; d. each respective service loop having an exterior layer whichsurrounds the braid of that service loop and having a gap at eachlocation of an interconnecting means to enable each interconnectingmeans of each respective service loop to extend through the exteriorlayer of each respective service loop; e. the at least oneinterconnecting means of the first service loop aligned with the atleast one interconnecting means of the second service loop and at lastone interconnecting means of the second service loop aligned with the atleast one interconnecting means of the third service loop; and f. aflexible affixation means interconnecting the at least oneinterconnecting means of the first and second service loops and a secondflexible interconnecting means connecting the at least one flexibleinterconnecting means of the second and third service loops so that thethree service loops are flexibly restrained to thereby prevent the threeservice loops from entangling as they move up and down the oil derrick.47. An apparatus to be used with services loops in an oil derrick, eachservice loop having a given length with at least an inner linerextending the length of the service loop and having a given diameter andsurrounded by a braid extending the length of the service loop andhaving a given diameter, the apparatus having a multiplicity of spacedapart sets of flexible restraining means, each set of flexiblerestraining means comprising: a. a first interior retaining meansaffixed to the braid of a first service loop and positioned at a givenlongitudinal location along the length of the first service loop and atleast one interconnecting means affixed to the first interior retainingmeans and extending transversely from the first interior retainingmeans; b. a second interior retaining means affixed to the braid of asecond service loop and positioned at a given longitudinal locationalong the length of the second service loop and at least oneinterconnecting means affixed to the second interior retaining means andextending transversely from the second interior retaining means; c. athird interior retaining means affixed to the braid of a third serviceloop and positioned at a given longitudinal location along the length ofthe third service loop and at least one interconnecting means affixed tothe third interior retaining means and extending transversely from thethird interior retaining means; d. each set of interior restrainingmeans and at least one interconnecting means on the first, second andthird service loops spaced apart from an adjacent set of interiorrestraining means and at least interconnecting means by a given distanceso that the sets are positioned along the length of each service loopand are aligned along the length of each service loop; e. eachrespective service loop having an exterior layer which surrounds thebraid of that service loop and having a gap at each location of aninterconnecting means to enable each interconnecting means of eachrespective service loop to extend through the exterior layer of eachrespective service loop; f. for each set of flexible restraining means,the at least one interconnecting means of the first service loop alignedwith the at least one interconnecting means of the second service loopand at last one interconnecting means of the second service loop alignedwith the at least one interconnecting means of the third service loop;and g. for each set of flexible restraining means there is a firstflexible affixation means interconnecting the at least oneinterconnecting means of the first and second service loops and a secondflexible affixation means interconnecting the at least oneinterconnecting means of the second and third service loops, so that thethree service loops are flexibly restrained to thereby prevent the threeservice loops from entangling as they move up and down the oil derrick.48. The apparatus in accordance with claim 47, further comprising: a. afirst longitudinal supporting member affixed to the oil derrick andextending through an aligned opening in a respective at least oneinterconnecting member of each set of flexible restraining means of thefirst service loop; b. a second longitudinal supporting member affixedto the oil derrick and extending through an aligned opening in arespective at least one interconnecting member of each set of flexiblerestraining means of the second service loop; and c. a thirdlongitudinal supporting member affixed to the oil derrick and extendingthrough an aligned opening in a respective at least one interconnectingmember of each set of flexible restraining means of the third serviceloop.